Abu ah johnbqit



(No Model.)

A. JOHNSON.

FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Nev. 6, 1883.

N. PUERi mmmmn Washmgxcn. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABIJAH JOHNSON, or DENVER, COLORADO.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 287,940, dated November 6, 1883,

Application filed February 27, 1883. (X0 model.)

Yb all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABIJAH JOHNSON, a

* enable persons to escape from windows or doors of high buildings in case of fire without injury and without personal assistance, which I attain by means of the device illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a front view with part of case removed. Fig. 3 is a part sectional side elevation, showing the spool upon which the cordis wound;

A is a case provided with an adjustable front, a. B is a cage in which is placed a shaft, 0. Upon the shaft is fastened a spurwheel, E, and also a spool, 1), around which a cord, (1, is wound, the end of which passes out of the case at d i. A ratchet-wheel, F, is then placed on the shaft 0, in which a pawl, f, engages. The pawl f isattached loosely to an arm of the spur-wheel E, as shown at g in Fig. 2. A spring, H, is connected to an arm of the spur-wheel E, as shown at h in Fig. 2, which extends around and presses on thepawl f in such a manner as to keep the 35 pawl f engaged with the ratchetwheel F. A shaft, I, is arranged in the lower part of the the cage, upon which is fastened a pinion, J, which meshes into the spur-wheel E. A scapewheel,-K, is also fastened on the shaft I, which engages with a pallet, L. To the pallet is fastened apenduluin, l, providedwitha weight, Z1. The pendulum passes through an adjustable slide, N, which can be moved up and down on the face-plate of the cage B and retained in place by means of the set-screw 0. g

In the use of my invention the end of the cord (Z (which is made of hemp, or steel, or

iron wire) is attached to any stationary ob ject in the apartment occupied by the person using the escape. A belt, T, is fasten ed around 51 the body, under the arms. The hook it is attached to the lug P on the case A. The operators then place their weight on the escape, which allows of their descent, fast or slow, which is regulated by the escapement, pendu- 5" lum, and the slide N. The slide, when placed near the pallet, permits the pendulum a long swing, and when moved further away from the pallet the swing of the pendulum is shortened. The opening in the slide N, through 6 which the pendulum passes, extends from n to 01. The slide N can be moved on the cage by use of the set-screw 0 without removing the front of the case, as the case is provided with a slot, through which the set-screw 0 can be 6 operated by the fingers. When the cord (2 is paid out it is again wound on the spool by means of a key, which is fitted to the square end 0 of the shaft 0.

My invention can also be used by attaching 7 the belt T to any stationary object in the apartment or to a window, and fastening the object to be lowered to the end of the cord d.

Having thus fully'described the construction and operation of my invention, what I 7 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

' 1. In a fire-escape, the slide N, having a recess fromn to n, inclosing the pendulum Z, thereby regulating the swing of the pendulum, as 5 set forth.

2. In a fire escape, the combination. of a spool having a cord secured thereto, the spur wheel E, ratchet-wheel F, pawl f, the spring H, the pinion J, scape-wheel K, the pallet L, 2 and pendulum Z, the slide'N, set-screw o, cage B, and case A, all substantially as set forth.

' In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ABIJAH JOHNSON.

YVitnesses: S. R. TAYLOR,

FRANK F. DUMKE. 

